Screenshot of website:

Description: The Ushahidi platform uses crowdsourcing to gather information, manage data and map the results using the Kohana web framework. Crowdmap is Ushahidi’s real-time data gathering product. The platform allows information gathering from multiple sources, receiving reports from SMS, email and Twitter, synchronizing this information such as SMS messages, customizing fields or attributes of information and submitting reports and viewing maps through iOS and Android Apps.

The Ushahidi suite of tools further allows for filtering of information, creating workflows, managing collections of data and team collaboration for both field- and office-based staff. Analytical capabilities are planned as a future set of features for the platform, including cloud-based functionality and desktop-based tools. The company also provides custom solutions on a demand basis. The Ushahidi platform has been used in Haiti during the earthquake crisis and during the 2010 floods in Pakistan. Although applications using Ushahidi so far have been focused on mapping for disaster management and relief, forestry-related issues such as illegal logging and wildlife poaching that depend on timely and accurate reporting can possibly be addressed using Ushahidi or Ushahidi-type platforms. These data can also be visualized as maps using this platform. The marketing of forestry products and access of forest communities to markets could also be improved using Ushahidi capabilities.